The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Like Goodbyes

The song of the day for Thursday, September 24, 2020, is “Don’t Like Goodbyes.”

About This Song

“Don’t Like Goodbyes” was written by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Arlen and Truman Capote, for the 1954 Broadway musical House of Flowers, based on Capote’s novella of the same name. The song was introduced by Pearl Bailey. While the musical was not well-reviewed, the Arlen-Capote score is quite wonderful, including not only today’s song but the exquisite “A Sleepin’ Bee,” which Tony Bennett has recorded twice (in 1959 for Tony Sings For Two and at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert). “Don’t Like Goodbyes” has been recorded by Pearl Bailey, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Like Goodbyes” for his 2004 album The Art of Romance. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Don’t Like Goodbyes,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Thursday, September 17, 2020, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating Ralph Sharon, on the anniversary of his birth on September 17, 1923. Sharon was born in London and emigrated to the United States in 1954. He served as Tony Bennett’s pianist and musical director for many years.

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing in the 1954 film A Star Is Born. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “The Man That Got Away” in 1959. They booked the studio for the day. Sharon brought a briefcase of sheet music and they leafed through the music, picked songs that they liked, and recorded them in one or two takes. The result was the album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Thursday, July 30, 2020, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler wrote “I’ve Got the World on a String” for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: This Time The Dream’s On Me

The song of the day for Sunday, July 5, 2020, is “This Time The Dream’s On Me.”

About This Song

“This Time The Dream’s On Me” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1941 film musical, Blues in the Night which also featured the title song. Blues in the Night is a somewhat film noir musical about a down-on-their-luck band that plays blues music and the folly of selling out for fame and money.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Time The Dream’s On Me” in 1960 for the album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser. It’s no surprise that Bennett chose Harold Arlen for his first album consisting of songs written by a single composer. While the American Songbook represents many wonderful songwriters, Harold Arlen is at the top of the list.

“This Time The Dream’s On Me,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: House of Flowers

The song of the day for Monday, June 15, 2020, is “House Of Flowers.”

About This Song

“House Of Flowers” was written by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Truman Capote, for the 1954 Broadway musical of the same name, based on a Truman Capote short story. Set in Haiti, the cast included Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll, Ray Walston, Geoffrey Holder, and Alvin Ailey. The score featured a steel-drum trio from Trinidad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “House Of Flowers” for his 1961 album em>Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen; the album was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser. It was the first Bennett album to pay tribute to a composer.

“House Of Flowers,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from Apple Music.

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